Post-Abortion Help

Post-Abortion Syndrome (PAS) is a type of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. It occurs when a woman is unable to work through her emotional responses due to the trauma of an abortion.

Why does abortion cause distress?

Woman are often surprised to find that abortion can be a traumatic experience. Generally, women are not encouraged to share their responses to the abortion. Often it is kept a secret and a woman is left alone with her feelings. The grief a woman may experience after an abortion is seldom recognized and is often repressed or denied. Post-Abortion Syndrome occurs when the grieving process is not completed. Our society is just now beginning to recognize the need to grieve a miscarriage, but because abortion is considered a voluntary act, a women’s grief after an abortion is not understood or supported.

When do the symptoms of PAS occur?

Some women experience PAS symptoms within months of the abortion. For others, the crisis occurs two to five years after the abortion — at the time the normal grieving process would have been completed. Sometimes women don’t experience PAS symptoms for 10, 20, or 30 years because they are unable to deal with the deep emotions caused by the abortion.

What are common symptoms of Post-Abortion Syndrome?

Anxiety

Regret / Guilt

Sadness / Sorrow

Feelings of loss

Repeat abortions

Desire for secrecy about abortion

Emotional pain

Nightmares

Anger / Rage

Suicidal impulses

Self destructive behavior

Drug and alcohol abuse

Inability to sustain an intimate relationship

How can a woman recover from PAS?

A woman who is experiencing PAS needs to complete the natural grieving
process. This can be done in individual counseling, group therapy, or in a resident
counseling center.